In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Shenandoah University
1460 University Drive
Winchester, Virginia, 22601
United States

Amanda Potter

Amanda Potter is a creativity thought leader and educator dedicated to helping students and adults build creative confidence. As the Associate Director of Educational Experiences at Destination Imagination, she designs hands-on challenges that empower learners to develop problem-solving, collaboration, and innovation skills. With a decade of experience in creative education and global tournament leadership, Amanda’s mission is to demystify the creative process and prove that with the right tools, anyone can generate bold, innovative ideas.

Andrew Vipperman

Andy Vipperman is a community servant. He serves on the board of directors for the Winchester-Frederick County Youth Development Center and Opportunity Scholars. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Hampden-Sydney College, a Master of Arts in Human and Organization Development from George Washington University, and is a Ph.D candidate in Organizational Leadership at Shenandoah University. In addition to his work with the U.S Government, Andy is the co-founder and President of LegacySynthesis, a human and technology capability company. In 2016, LegacySynthesis founded the Legacy Charity Fund- a fund that has facilitated over $100,000 in donations to 29 non-profit organizations since inception. Andy loves the Commonwealth of Virginia and lives in Winchester, Virginia with his wife, two children, and is surrounded by his family and friends. A man of deep and abiding faith, Andy lives by three rules and humbly states he lives in an abundance of blessing, and, for that, he's not sorry.

Cheryl Costello

Cheryl Costello is a board-certified music therapist, performer and teaching artist who has spent nearly 30 years working with children and music. Specializing in early childhood, she focuses on music’s role in creative confidence and social-emotional learning. Through her work, she encourages people of all ages to rethink music as a shared, lived experience.

Dr. Ravi Iyer, MD

Dr. Ravi Iyer, MD is a Harvard-trained Physician-scientist, 3x viral TEDx speaker, best-selling author, inventor, and entrepreneur and a Who's Who in America and Who's Who in TOP Doctors of America listee, whose 42-year career in medicine, science and leadership includes a 9-year Directorship of a Hospice caring for dying patients, and a 4-year Chairmanship of a 225-bed hospital. Dr. Iyer’s TEDxGary talk on The Power of Intentional Focus was the 3rd most globally viewed TEDx talk in 2024, and he is acclaimed as an expert on People First Leadership and conducts workshops on Burnout Resistant Leadership; Cognitive Alignment for teams and courses on Strategies Of Neuroaligned Groups. His programs have been rated as transformational for enabling individuals, teams, and organizations to discover methods by which they can remain connected to their purpose with focus, creativity, resilience and flexibility as they navigate the challenges of their enterprise and their life.

Madelyn Jiménez-Torres

Madelyn Jimenez-Torres formerly Rodriguez has lived in Winchester for over 30 years where she resides with her 2 teen daughters. Originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania and of Mexican and Puertorican heritage, Mady is fluent in both English and Spanish. She currently works as a discharge planner for Valley Health’s Care Management Department and is also an ESL instructor at Laurel Ridge & Shenandoah University where she teaches culture and equity to First Year Students. Her community involvement in the education and medical sectors have afforded her opportunities to learn about the barriers/challenges in many populations as well as the understanding of culture and diversity. Mady is on numerous boards throughout the community and provides input on cultural awareness, diversity and inclusion. She is proud to be a product of Winchester Public Schools (WPS), attended Laurel Ridge Community College, formerly LFCC, later transferred to ODU for her bachelors degree and then received a Masters in Human Services from Walden University. She considers it an honor to share her learned experiences with other to cultivate meaningful interactions and relationships in all sectors throughout the community.